Dynamic multi organ plate

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are dynamic multi-organ plates comprising two or more wells, wherein the wells are configured for cell or tissue culture growth; at least one transwell tube in fluid communication with the two or more wells; and a pump in fluid communication with the at least one transwell tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of conducting bioanalyticalassays, and more specifically, in the field of multi-organ assays.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is a growing need in the chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceuticalindustries to understand and predict potential adverse effects ofchemicals in humans without the use of animal experimentation. Inparticular, there is a significant need to predict repeat dose systemictoxicity or efficacy using cell cultures, as opposed to studying theseeffects in animal or human models. To date attempts have been made usingsingle cell models that mimic specific organs. Biomedical engineeringhas begun to explore and develop the idea of incorporating organs ontomicrochips and has focused primarily on the micro environment and threedimensional components of each tissue. These technologies do not addressmass to volume ratios of tissues to blood, nor do they provide aplatform that enables bioanalytical evaluation of chemical effect. Inaddition, these early attempts have not incorporated a fluid dynamicsystem on a meso scale that will allow fluid communication betweentissue compartments without fully exchanging compartment culture medium.Therefore, there is a real need for a tool that will allow scientists toincorporate existing technologies in their laboratories with a novelcell culture plate that will enable the evaluation of chemical safety inmany human organs simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are dynamic multi-organ plates comprising two or morewells, wherein the wells are configured for cell or tissue culturegrowth; at least one transwell tube in fluid communication with the twoor more wells; and a pump in fluid communication with the at least onetranswell tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view drawing showing a 6 well layout of an embodimentof the disclosed dynamic multi organ plate (DMOP).

FIG. 1B is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosed DMOPdemonstrating a foot print of the plate.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosed DMOP showingorgan placement and simulated blood flow.

FIG. 3A is a top view drawing showing an embodiment of a multi-walledwell, while FIG. 3B is a side view drawing showing the same.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a lung well with an inhalation chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein are dynamic multi-organ plates (DMOP), whichincorporate multiple tissue (organ) types with a mesoscale fluidicsystem. The large scale format of the disclosed DMOPs enablesresearchers to match tissue mass to blood volume by adjusting thesurface area of the artificial semipermeable vessel system. These platesprovide for the study of drug or chemical effects on multiple organsrepresented by cell or tissue culture in a single plate connected by afluidic system that allows for analyte transfer without volume exchangebetween the wells. In certain configurations, organ simulation isimproved by providing a vapor generation system over lung tissue and amico electrode array to monitor human or animal cardiomyocyte beatactivity.

In some aspects, the presently disclosed DMOP comprises multiple wells.Each well comprises cells or tissue from a single organ. The wells ofthe DMOP are in fluid communication with each other, either in parallel,or in series, or a combination of the two. A fluid, for example blood ora blood simulator, or any other fluid capable of carrying nutrients, orbiological matter, flows into the DMOP and then from one well toanother. Culture media in each well is isolated from the culture mediaof other wells. In certain embodiments, only biological materials andtest materials and their metabolites can move between wells.

Currently available technologies do not provide a platform that enablesbioanalytical evaluation of chemical effect. This is because thebiological material being released or produced by a cell upon exposureto a test drug or chemical is not produced at a high enoughconcentration to allow detection. Furthermore, because cells fromdifferent tissues (e.g. liver or heart) require growth media withdifferent components for optimal growth, an open exchange of mediabetween wells can significantly disrupt cell growth. To address thisissue, in some embodiments of the disclosed DMOPs, the fluid simulatingblood flow is pumped through tubing having gaps of dialysis membrane.The membrane allows only analytes of interest to pass into and out offthe simulated blood, thereby exposing all simulated organs in a mannersimilar to human blood flow. Because the order in which simulated bloodflow reaches specific organs mimics human circulation, some embodimentsof the disclosed DMOPs have a plate design with a well layout thatfacilitates this chemical exchange.

In some embodiments, the user of the disclosed DMOPs can combinepharmacokinetic modeling approaches, and thereby determine kineticparameters such as metabolism, hepatic clearance, metabolic stability,protein binding, plasma vs time concentration curves, half-life,C_(max), area under the curve, and even IC₅₀ values for specifictransporters. The result is an integrated biological system that can beused to estimate systemic organ effects.

In some embodiments, the tissue culture in the wells growstwo-dimensionally, while in other embodiments, the tissue culture growsthree-dimensionally. The isolation of the culture media between thewells allows for different supplements and culture media to be suppliedto each well, depending on the type of cell or tissue being cultured,and depending on whether the growth is a 2D or 3D culture.

In some embodiments, the wells of the disclosed DMOPs are connected toeach other using transwell tubes, i.e., tubes that connect one well toanother. In some embodiments, a single transwell tube connects twowells. In another embodiment, a transwell tube imports fluid into a wellwhile another transwell tube carries fluid away from the well. Thiscombination mimics the artery/vein system in an organism.

In some embodiments the transwell tubes are prefabricated into the DMOP.In other embodiments, the user can arrange the wells as the userdesires, and then insert the transwell tubes in the desired manner toconnect the wells.

In some embodiments, the cells are grown on transwell membranes in thewell that effectively allows cells to form an apical (top) andbasolateral (lower) chamber. Simulated blood flow moves under thetranswell in the growth medium just as blood would move. Cellscontaining uptake and efflux transporters (e.g. OATP1B1 and BSEP)orientate to the basolateral or apical sides of the cell (polarization).Tubing and dialysis membranes in each well provide a one-way flow offluids or nutrients across the transwell tube wall. Thus, the tubesimulating blood flow is below the basolateral side of the transwelltube.

In some embodiments, a dialysis membrane separates the inlet and outletsides of the tubing in the wells and the transwell tubes. This membraneprovides for an effective communication between wells. The fluidcarrying osmotically active components such as drugs, drug metabolitesor biological components such as glucose, cytokines, growth factors, andthe like, can move down a concentration gradient by passive diffusioninto the well from the tubing or into the tubing from the cell. There isno net change in volume so the cell culture wells remain unique in theirindividual properties. The simulated vasculature only exchanges lowmolecular weight components not present in wells through the membrane.In some embodiments, the components include test chemicals, theirmetabolites, cell/tissue products, and even small proteins.

The tissues in the wells can be placed such that the fluid passesthrough them in the same order as it would inside of an organism. Forexample, the fluid can pass through a well having gastrointestinaltissue/cells, before it reaches a well having liver tissue/cells, andthen moving on to a well having lung tissue/cells. In this sense, theDMOP simulates a multi-organ organism having multiple tissue types thatare in fluid communication with each other. Markers of cell health canbe collected in the perfusate running through the tube system ordirectly from the wells. The DMOP, then, allows for testing of compoundsor biologically active materials in a multi-organ system without theneed to conduct animal testing.

Herein, the word “plate” is used interchangeably with “dynamicmulti-organ plate” and with “DMOP.”

In some embodiments, the DMOP is constructed of a material, for exampleplastic, that is compatible with cell culture. By “compatible with cellculture” it is meant that the composition of the plate does notadversely interfere with the function of the tissue or with the functionof any test compounds. In other words, a material that is compatiblewith cell culture is considered to be a biologically inert material.

In some embodiments, the plate comprises large wells, which are at least0.5 inch in diameter. In certain embodiments, the wells have diametersof 1 inch, and in other embodiments, the diameter is greater than 1inch, for example 1.25″, 1.5″, 1.75″, 2″, 2.25″, 2.5″, 2.75″, 3″, andthe like.

In some embodiments the plate comprises at least two wells. In certainembodiments, the plate comprises 4, 6, 8, or 10 wells. In someembodiments, the plate comprises more than 10 wells. In otherembodiments, the plate comprises an odd number of wells, for example 3,5, 7, 9, etc., wells.

In some embodiments, the wells are connected by inserted tubing anddialysis membrane. In other embodiments, the wells are linked bychannels within the walls of the wells. In some embodiments, thechannels are open channels, i.e., channels whose top is open to theoutside and form a generally half-pipe shape. In other embodiments, thechannels are closed channels, i.e., tubes formed within the walls of thewells, connecting two adjoining wells.

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a DMOP 100. The DMOP 100 comprises a body102 that contains the various components. In this embodiment, the DMOP100 comprises six wells 104. The wells 104 can be arranged in any orderthat best accommodates the needs of the experiment. For example, in someembodiments, the wells 104 are arranged in a line to facilitate afluidic connection in series. In other embodiments, for example theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the wells 104 are arranged in a hexagonformat that can facilitate a fluidic connection between all the platessimultaneously. Other arrangements that mimic well-defined geometricshapes, or random arrangements are also contemplated. In someembodiments, the mesoscale format has a standard cell culture foot printthat allows the plate to be analyzed by current commercially availableplate readers or to be manipulated in standard robotic platforms. FIG.1B shows the side view of one embodiment of DMOP 100 and its footprint.In the illustrated embodiment, the DMOP body 102 has two sections. Alower section 106 contains the wells 104. Thus, in this embodiment, theheight of the section 106 is equivalent to the height of the wells 104.An upper section 108 provides additional containment to avoid spillage,either into the device or out of the device. FIG. 1B shows the locationof an inlet pipe 204 and a pump 202, as described fully below.

In some embodiments, the plate is configured to accommodate tissue froman organism in its wells. In certain embodiments, the various tissuesused in the wells are all from the same species. In other embodiments,tissue from different species is used in different wells. In certainembodiments, the organism is an animal. In some of these embodiments,the animal is a vertebrate. In certain embodiments, the organism is amammal. In some embodiments, the mammal is selected from the groupconsisting of mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, sheep,goats, cows, primates, such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and apes, andhumans. Fish cells or whole fish such as the zebra fish may also be usedin these wells.

In some embodiments, the tissue comprises cells derived from stem cells.In other embodiments, the tissue comprises mature cell lines. In someembodiments, the tissue, for example primary or cryopreservedhepatocytes in sandwich culture, is grown within each well. In otherembodiments, the tissue is grown elsewhere and then transferred into theDMOP's well for analysis. In yet other embodiments, the tissue is grownwithin the well elsewhere, and then the well is inserted into the platefor the analysis.

Because the system allows for a larger mass of cells to be grown, it ispossible to measure standard biochemical and molecular endpoints thatcan be used to determine chemical or drug effects on the cells. In someembodiments, the plate is organized in a manner that mimics human tissueplacement and blood flow.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the DMOP 100, in which the wells 104 arein fluid communication with each other. All the internal components,i.e., the wells 104 and the pipes 208 (see below) are contained withinthe plate body 102. In this embodiment, a peristaltic pump 202, locatedoutside of the body 102, is provided that pumps fluid, for examplewater, saline, blood or a simulated blood, into the system through aninlet pipe 204. In this embodiment, the fluid enters a first well 206having heart tissue. From this well 206, the fluid travels through pipes208 to a well 210 having brain tissue grown on a transwell plateform tomimic the blood brain barrier. Because in humans blood travels from theheart to the brain and then from the brain returns to the heart, in theillustrated DMOP a transwell pipe 208 returns the fluid from the brainwell 210 back to the heart well 206. This is also true of the well 212having lung tissue. The fluid flow from the heart well 206 to the lungwell 212 is bidirectional, i.e., the fluid travels from the heart well206 to the lung well 212 and then returns to the heart well 206.Further, in a human blood flow to the lungs and the brain areindependent of each other. Similarly, in the illustrated DMOP, fluidflow to the lung well 212 and the brain well 210 are carried out byindependent pipes 208.

However, the situation with certain organs, for example thegastrointestinal (GI) tissue and liver tissue is different. In a human,the blood flows from the heart to the GI system, and during first pass,goes from the GI system to the liver, and from the liver returns to theheart. Similarly, in the illustrated DMOP, fluid flows unidirectionallyfrom the heart well 206 to the GI well 214, then to the liver well 216,and then back to the heart well 206. Thus, the transwell pipes 208between the heart well 206, the GI well 214, and the liver well 216allow tissues with polarity (i.e., those tissues that function under aunidirectional fluid flow, e.g. GI tract cells, lung cells, and kidneycells) to be cultured in a way that allows the functionality oftransporters to be assessed.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows both bidirectional and unidirectionalfluid flow from one well to another. In some embodiments, all wells areunder a bidirectional flow, whereas in other embodiments, all wells areunder a unidirectional flow. In some embodiments, the transwell pipes208 are inserts that the operator can introduce. Thus, in theseembodiments, the DMOP is modular where the operator chooses the numberand/or location of the wells on the plate and then, by placing thetranswell pipe inserts, determines the flow of fluid from one well toanother.

The fluid exits the plate body 102 through one of the wells. In theillustrated embodiment, the fluid exits the liver well 216 through theoutlet pipe 218, which reconnects with the peristaltic or microsyringepump 202. In some embodiments, a well port 220 is provided. Someembodiments of the disclosed DMOP comprise more than one well port 220.For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises two wellports 220. While in the illustrated embodiment the well port 220 is onthe outlet pipe 218, the skilled artisan recognizes that the port 220can be placed anywhere on the system that is convenient to reach. Forexample the port 220 can be placed on the inlet pipe 204, or on one ofthe transwell pipes 208. The open end of the well port 220 is configuredto allow exogenous substances to be introduced into the system. In someembodiments, the open end of the well port 220 comprises a rubberstopper or septum, or similar material. Exogenous substances can then beinjected into the fluid of the system using a syringe. In someembodiments, a hose or pipe can be connected to the well port 220, whichhose/pipe is connected to a reservoir comprising the exogenous substanceat the other end such as a bioreactor unit to increase metabolites. Insome embodiments, a pump is used to introduce the exogenous substanceinto the system.

In some embodiments, an input/output line 222 is inserted into a wellport 220. In certain of these embodiments, the input/output line 222comprises a junction 224 that controls the flow either into the system,through an inlet hose 226, or out of the system, through an outlet hose228. In some embodiments, the junction 224 is a 3-way valve. In otherembodiments, the junction 224 is simply a rubber septum, into which theinlet hose 226 and the outlet hose 228 are inserted. Through thissystem, an exogenous substance can be introduce into the system throughthe inlet hose 226 and aliquots of the internal fluid can be taken outthrough the outlet hose 228.

In some embodiments, the exogenous substance is a drug, protein, orother chemical that is under study.

In some embodiments, the system incorporates microarray electrodetechnology in order to monitor the effect of an exogenous chemical ordrug on heart beat. In these embodiments, the microarray 230 is placedin the heart well 206. These electrodes measure the electrocardiogram ofthe heart tissue in the heart well 206. In some embodiments, holes areplaced in the inserted MEA well to allow for simulated blood/fluid flow.In some of these embodiments, the system is started and the beat of theheart tissue is measured. The exogenous substance is then introducedthrough the well port 218. The beat of the heart tissue is then measuredagain, and the effect of the exogenous substance is determined.

In some embodiments, aliquots of the fluid within the system isextracted through the well port 218 for chemical analysis, for examplegas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry(LC-MS), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the like. Theanalysis can provide a real time measurement of, for example, metaboliteformation, tissue damage, rate of diffusion into tissues, and otherpharmacological and biochemical parameters.

FIG. 3A shows a close-up top view of an embodiment of the wells 104. Thewells 104 comprise an outer shell 302 (outer hatched space), and insert304 (inner hatched space), and a fluid space 306 (dotted space). In someembodiments, the outer shell 302 is a solid piece and defines the shapeof the well 104. The insert 304 comprises a semipermeable wall thatallows for diffusion of chemicals, gasses, and fluids between the fluidspace 306 and the interior 308 of the well 104. The fluid space 306 isin fluid communication with the transwell pipes 208 (e.g. the dialysismembrane between the inlet and outlet tubes allows for diffusion intothe culture wells). Diffusion through the semipermeable barrier 304mimics the diffusion of gasses and chemicals between the capillaries andthe cells of a tissue in a human.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the wells 104 within an embodiment of thedisclosed DMOP. The flow of the fluid under and around the insert 304 inthe fluid space 306 is clearly shown. In some embodiments, the amount offluid in the system is increased to manipulate the simulated bloodvolume and surface area. In some of these embodiments, the fluid space306 becomes larger as more fluid is introduced in the system, while theinsert 304 shrinks. Thus, increasing the amount of fluid in the systemresults in a lower contact surface area between the tissue and the fluidand vice versa. This closely mimics actual physiological conditions. Byvarying the dialysis area in the well between the inlet and outlettubing it is possible to change the fluid to mass ratio and simulateorgans with different degrees of blood perfusion.

In some embodiments, in order to develop a more accurate lung chamberreconstructed human lung tissue (such as one developed by Epithelix,(Geneva Switzerland)) can be used to mimic human lung. This tissue isgrown at an air liquid interface, which allows for the exposure ofvapors, and aerosols to the lung and subsequent transfer into blood. Insome embodiments, the lung well is fitted with a hollow chamber thatmimics an inhalation chamber. The use of an inhalation chamber allows anoperator to develop inhalation exposure and toxicity models.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the chamber 400, which is fitted over thelung well 212. The chamber 400 comprises a body 402. In someembodiments, an opening 404 is provided to allow the operator tointroduce fluids or other substances into the chamber. In someembodiments, the opening 404 is sealed by a rubber stopper or septum,and the like.

In some embodiments, the chamber 400 is linked to a vapor generator,such as a J tube. The vapor generator (not shown) is connected to thechamber by an inlet port 406. The gasses exit the chamber through anoutlet port 408. In some embodiments, the chamber 400 comprises twoseparate pieces. A lower piece 410 is configured to fit over the lungwell 212, while the upper piece 412 features the inlet port 406 and theoutlet port 408. In some embodiments, an o-ring seal 414 provides agas-tight seal between the two pieces. Line 416, and the correspondingline in all the figures, when applicable, shows the liquid line in thesystem.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamic multi-organ plate comprising, two ormore wells, wherein the wells are configured for cell or tissue culturegrowth; at least one transwell tube in fluid communication with the twoor more wells; and a pump in fluid communication with the at least onetranswell tube; wherein each well independently comprises an outer shelland an insert, wherein the insert forms a hollow interior, into whichthe cell or tissue culture is placed; wherein a space for fluid existsbetween the outer shell and the insert, wherein as more fluid isintroduced into the system, the fluid space becomes larger while theinsert shrinks; wherein the insert comprises a semipermeable wall thatallows for diffusion of chemicals, gasses, and fluids between the fluidspace and the interior of the well; wherein the fluid in the well is incontact with at least a portion of the semipermeable wall of the insert;and wherein the hollow interior of each insert is not in direct fluidcommunication with a transwell tube.
 2. The plate of claim 1, wherein: afirst transwell tube connects the pump with a first well; a secondtranswell tube connects the first well with a second well; and a thirdtranswell tube connects the second well with the pump.
 3. The plate ofclaim 1, wherein the flow of fluid into and out of a well isunidirectional.
 4. The plate of claim 1, wherein the flow of fluid intoand out of a well is bidirectional.
 5. The plate of claim 1, wherein thewall of the transwell tube is polarized and provide a one-way flow offluids or nutrients across the transwell tube wall.
 6. The plate ofclaim 1, wherein the wells and the transwell tubes are prefabricatedonto the plate.
 7. The plate of claim 1, wherein the wells and thetranswell tubes are arranged on the plate by a user.
 8. The plate ofclaim 1, wherein a transwell tube comprises a well port, through which asubstance is introduced into the transwell tube lumen, or through whichan aliquot of a fluid within the transwell tube lumen is removed.
 9. Theplate of claim 8, wherein the substance is a small organic molecule or aprotein.
 10. The plate of claim 1, wherein heart tissue is present inone well, wherein the well comprises a microarray electrode configure tomeasure the electrical activity of the heart tissue.
 11. The plate ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid space is in fluid communication with thetranswell tubes.
 12. The plate of claim 1, wherein one well compriseslung tissue.
 13. The plate of claim 12, wherein the lung well furthercomprises a chamber, fitted over the lung well.
 14. The plate of claim13, wherein the chamber comprises an opening configured for an operatorto introduce fluids or other substances into the chamber.
 15. The plateof claim 1, wherein the transwell tube comprises a dialysis membrane.16. A dynamic multi-organ plate comprising, two or more wells, whereinthe wells are configured for cell or tissue culture growth; at least onechannel between the two or more wells configured to provide fluidcommunication between the two or more wells; and a pump in fluidcommunication with the at least one channel; wherein each wellindependently comprises an outer shell and an insert, wherein the insertforms a hollow interior, into which the cell or tissue culture isplaced; wherein a space for fluid exists between the outer shell and theinsert, wherein as more fluid is introduced in the system, the fluidspace becomes larger while the insert shrinks; wherein the insertcomprises a semipermeable wall that allows for diffusion of chemicals,gasses, and fluids between the fluid space and the interior of the well;wherein the fluid in the well is in contact with at least a portion ofthe semipermeable wall of the insert; and wherein the hollow interior ofeach insert is not in direct fluid communication with a channel.
 17. Theplate of claim 16, wherein the channel is an open channel.
 18. The plateof claim 16, wherein the channel is a closed channel.